My heart is just breaking

Robbie is an amazing kid and today is his 15th birthday. The problem is, he doesn't have a lot of friends here. He's kind of the odd kid out, and us not being the millionaires on the block and one of the rich kids don't help out.

We told him that 2 weeks from now (because we didn't have time to plan because of the evacuation) that we would take him and anyone he could get together to go paintball. Ron said though that we'll need at least 20 people, he can come up with some adults, but Robbie needs to come up with at least half the people probably.

We wanted to do something, anything for today though, so we said it was ok if he had people over. ONE person came, ONE! And he left at 8, right after eating....I don't even think he was finished chewing His good friend next door didn't even come hang out with him. He was told that he was going to another party that was planned weeks ago (fine), but I heard him out back with some friends.

So now Robbie is spending the rest of the night in front of the t.v. playing his PS3. Another crappy birthday for him. Last year he cried when we sang happy birthday because it was a crappy birthday. This year really wasn't much better.

We got no presents for him, because what do you get a 15 year old besides games (which we tried to get, but the stores back home didn't have them and North American games aren't sold here). Ron is suppose to take him shopping for back to school clothes on Sunday, and I told him he can get whatever he wants for his birthday, but even he knows there's nothing he can get here.

He's already not looking forward to next years birthday because he's going to be the new kid on the block.


I just want to provide something better for my kid. We can send him to the best school right now, take him on great vacations, but there's nothing we can do to help him out when it comes to this.

I have no advice for you.... it is not easy to be a parent sometimes. I think you do a fabulous job with your boys.....

OH Marie..... my heart hurts for him. Sounds really "cliqueish" there... I hope he finds some good friends soon!!!

It is. The problem here is that less than 200 of the 1200 kids that go to his school are embassy kids. That leaves 1000 kids who are made of money and act like it.

Oh, Marie that's awful! Poor Robbie, 15 is a hard age and I'm sure this doesn't help! I hope it gets better for him soon.

Aww, that makes me sad! I hate that he didn't have more people show up! I agree, you are doing a great job...there are just some things we can't do anything about. At least he knows his family loves him. That's more than some people have. And some of those kids whose families are made of money are probably lacking in the "love" department. In many ways, he has more that a lot of them, probably. I'm sure that wouldn't make him feel better right now, though

I completely agree!!

I'm sorry for both you and him. That's not right

Well said, I agree.

I can tell your heart is breaking, and I know it is tough on him, but I am sure having Mom there for him makes it all better, even if teenagers would never admit it.

15 is so hard, and kids can be so mean

poor Robbie and it's such a hard age already. my heart hurts for him.

Lots of hugs for all of you being 15 is hard enough w o crappy other kids. He'll find himself though. It's hard bc he IS 15 and being part of a family in the military can't be easy. But he's prob just figuring out who he is for himself. All you can do is what you've been doing, giving him all your love and support! That's not a great answer, bc it makes you feel helpless for sure. But holdfast, days will get better!

poor guy

I know this is the part of parenting that will break my heart, too. The part where no matter what you do,,, you cant really do 'anything'. sigh.

Hang in there. like the pp said,,, better days will be here soon.